Beating on Youtube Leads to Douglas County Arrest

LITHIA SPRINGS, Ga. -- The video spent six months circulating in the viral universe. It shows a confrontation inside Lithia Springs high school that turns into a savage beating. A 15-year-old is attacked while others watch. One student had a camera phone.

On the wrong end of that beating was freshman Zach Perez, who, despite a busted lip and a knot on his head, kept silent.

"I was mad," says the high school freshman. "I wanted to retaliate, but I decided not to. I just wanted to forget about it. I wanted to move on."

His mother had no idea until she saw the video. She's outraged not just at the teenager who attacked her son, but at all of those who stood by and did nothing.

"It's like, where is everybody?" asks Lulu Cielo. "Not even one stopped that kid from hitting him over and over and over again. They're just blind and deaf to everything."

The video was widely circulated among students at the school, but no one came forward to tell teachers, school administrators, or anyone with law enforcement.

Douglas County Sheriff's Investigators say had no idea until an adult found the video on the internet.

During a routine search of internet websites that are popular with students, a school resource officer found the video on YouTube. Douglas County investigators identified the suspect, and arrested a 15-year-old suspected gang member.

"We feel certain he is a gang member and he's utilized this as part of either recruitment or initiation of furtherance of his gang activity," says Douglas County Deputy Chief Stan Copeland.

Investigators have identified others in the video. It's possible there could be more arrests, or possibly school suspensions or expulsions.

Zach's mother, in the meantime, has been considering a move back to her home country of The Philippines. She says this may convince her it's time to leave.